Joey Arreguin's Do's and Don'ts when writing music for TV and Movies:
1. Do a lot of preliminary research: get information from the producer, director, and try to find out specifics about the kind of music they are looking for, and how to best adapt it to the visual format.
2. Do spend time listening to musical examples and styles for the types of music you will be composing. I like to go to the local library and check out a lot of classical, old jazz, big band, ragtime, and other styles of music to get ideas. It's also important to study other similar uses of music for film, TV, and commercials, etc., from other well known composers.
3. Do prepare small sketches of your musical ideas on your sequencer or computer to see if you are headed in the right direction. Many times you may spend hours and even days scoring for a specific scene or scenes, only to be told by the director that it's not what he was looking for. Directors are also very notorious about changing their mind constantly, and it's worth giving them an idea of where you're headed musically, before you commit to a final arrangement.
4. Don't be ignorant about the type of musical style(s) you are expected to write for. As I mentioned above, if you are not familiar with a certain style, find a musician, or arranger who is, and ask them to help! Remember that first impressions are everything in this business, and a weak presentation may cause a film company, film director, or executive to never call you back, if you can't deliver the goods!
5. Don't be ignorant about licensing fees, copyright laws, and publishing. Many producers and film companies know that there are a lot of "hungry" composers and writers that will give away their rights for practically nothing. Read books about copyright, licensing your music, (one book I highly recommend is Kohn on Music Licensing, published by Aspen Law and Business) and know what typical and current licensing rates are for the type of music you are composing, as well as learn how to read contracts to insure that you don't get ripped off! If you're still not sure or comfortable with the legal jargon, seek out professional advice from a music lawyer or when available, go to our Just Plain Folks mentors for further advice!!
6. Don't be caught off guard by not having musical ideas handy for emergency situations! Often times film and TV producers will call on a last minute notice. They need a certain piece of music finished by a deadline, and will go with whomever can provide them with what they need right then and there. I highly suggest writing short musical ideas and thoughts, then storing them on your sequencer, computer, DAT machine, or cassette. During your "down" time, is when you should be creating and developing all kinds of music. Categorize your material so that it is easily accessible (like music for chase scenes, romantic music, comedy, horror music, etc.) Even if your ideas are not complete, you can let a director hear them (I've even had to do this over the phone!) and you already have a head start. When time is of the essence, this has always been a lifesaver for me!
7. Finally, and most importantly, DON'T ever stop writing, arranging or composing your ideas and thoughts. It is very easy to get discouraged in this business, and like so many other art-forms, it can be feast or famine. You may have a lot of "down" time, and little or no work, or pay, but keep going, and soon something will break! If you truly want to succeed in this business, you must first have a positive outlook, and believe in yourself and eventually, it will all come to you!! Good luck!
